Books, Reading

The former politician, who joined the old Conservative party in 1964, is out in and about in support of her new autobiography.

Avant-garde spoken word, film and music fusion night describing itself as 'playing host to the sinister and the sanguine'.

A free celebration of spoken word in all its forms: slams, storytelling, open mics, cabarets and a host of other events. The Minifest is organised by Inky Fingers, a grassroots spoken word events series based in Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh Book Fringe takes place in Word Power Books and brings together writers and activists from around the world for a host of daily events of readings and discussions, all of which are free.

Children can talk about books, play games and complete quizzes.

The comic writer, whose books include Dress Your Family and Me Talk Pretty One Day talks about and reads from his collection of essays, Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls.

Horace the Haggis must outwit the evil haggis hunters and find a safe place to hide in the forest, but can his new friends help him escape? A reading from author Sally Magnusson for families and children.

Francesca Simon talks about what inspired her to create the world inhabited by Horrid Henry, Moody Margaret and Perfect Peter, and introduces Horrid Henry's Nightmare, the 22nd Horrid Henry book and a brand new story. Ages 6+.

The prize-winning poet gives a talk about his experiences as a writing, including a look at his latest collection, A Hundred Doors.

A reading of poems written by the group or by other writers.

Regular local poetry meet, with readings of thought-provoking new verse and live music.

Taking place in the National Trust's Georgian Harmony Garden, in the heart of Melrose, the Borders Book Festival attracts world-class writers and personalities and also hosts the £25,000 Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction awards. For its tenth year, the festival sees Joanna Lumley and Phyllida Law talk…

A session with the immensely talented poet and editor Christopher Reid, winner of the 2009 Costa Book Award for his collection A Scattering, written as a tribute to his late wife.

Biennial arts festival with a focus on contemporary visual arts that combines an open call for submissions with invited guests to inspire new work and includes internationally-recognised artists. The programme, which also includes music, workshops and artists’ talks, utilises unused buildings and exterior spaces in and…

Possibly Britain's greatest living novelist, Hilary Mantel discusses her Man Booker Prize-winning novel, Bring up the Bodies, the haunting sequel Wolf Hall – which also won the Man Booker.

The author of This Is Where I Am talks about her book, which focuses on a refugee family, and speaks with Joe Brady and Wafa Shaheen of Refugee Council Scotland.

The literary and cultural hub that is Charing Cross Road gets its day in the spotlight as it plays host to a number of authors, musicians, crafters and other cultural purveyors for a weekend mini fest. The programme includes everything from ukulele workshops, to author talks, to film screenings, to book detectives who are…

Back again for year three, this hip young festival spreads its wings to a new city for Margins Aberdeen. Set over two weekends, confirmed acts so far include Robert Newman, FOUND, Alasdair Gray, Christopher Brookmyre, Janice Galloway and more for six days of music, books and debate.

New author Silvana Biagioni reads extracts from her book Sacha Meets a Sellkie. She'll also bring in Sacha's story sack, full of things for children to rummage through.

Actor William Sutton can recite each of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets on demand. Come along to a discussion on the memorability of the playwrights structure and test his ability to recall particular stanzas.